Tag: mother daughter relationships

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historical fiction

Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson

351 pages Gallery Books April 13, 2021 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

When a deed to an apartment in Paris turns up in an old attic trunk, an estranged mother and daughter must reunite to uncover the secret life of a family matriarch—perfect for fans of The Little Paris Bookshop and The Beekeeper’s Daughter.

Hannah Bond has always been a bookworm, which is why she fled Florida—and her unstable, alcoholic mother—for a quiet life leading Jane Austen-themed tours through the British countryside. But on New Year’s Eve, everything comes crashing down when she arrives back at her London flat to find her mother, Marla, waiting for her.

Marla’s brought two things with her: a black eye from her ex-boyfriend and an envelope. Its contents? The deed to an apartment in Paris, an old key, and newspaper clippings about the death of a famous writer named Andres Armand. Hannah, wary of her mother’s motives, reluctantly agrees to accompany her to Paris, where against all odds, they discover great-grandma Ivy’s apartment frozen in 1940 and covered in dust.

Inside the apartment, Hannah and Marla discover mysterious clues about Ivy’s life—including a diary detailing evenings of drinking and dancing with Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and other iconic expats. Outside, they retrace her steps through the city in an attempt to understand why she went to such great lengths to hide her Paris identity from future generations.

A heartwarming and charming saga set in the City of Lights, Lost in Paris is an unforgettable celebration of family and the love between a mother and a daughter.

MY THOUGHTS

Lost in Paris is one of those books that languished on my to read shelf for four years. I’m so glad I finally got a chance to read it.
This is historical fiction with a time split and it finally makes itself know with a connection between each time period for a nice wrap-up.


In modern times Hannah Bond is estranged from her mother. Does her mother even deserve the title of mother, pregnant as a teen she wasn’t ready for motherhood and Hannah’s grandmother raises her giving her what her mother can’t, a warm home, parental guidance and more.

Her mother shows back up unexpectedly with some news after not seeing Hannah for years when her grandmother passes away. By this time Hannah has moved out and is in an apartment of her own. Her mother brings shocking news, the both of them have inherited a Paris apartment they knew nothing about from the family matriarch.


This long-deserted apartment and trying to sort it with a mother not in the best mental shape who can barely take care of herself after always being dependent on others is not what Hannah needs now or any time in her future.


As a diary from the 1920’s is discovered and clues given to a long-forgotten time period we see family matters coming together. I really enjoyed this time period of the story; it seems like such a marvelous and exciting time.


A reassessment of family and how an absence and rediscovery can lead to astonishing and heartwarming results.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris past and present and the characters, some pretty quirky add to the authentic flavor of the story. I’m glad I got a chance to read this finally.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Thompson is a lifelong Francophile with a degree in journalism. She loves food, books, and art. Lost in Paris is her first novel for Simon and Schuster‘s Gallery Books. She currently resides in Tennessee with her husband and their Pembroke Welsh corgi, Luna.

Have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber

288 pages Ballantine Books October 15, 2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hailey Morgan’s life has always revolved around music. She once had big dreams of becoming a professional songwriter, but the reality of life has led her to working as an assistant high school band teacher in Portland. As the holidays approach, Hailey dreads the annual tradition of spending Christmas with her family and dodging her mother’s meddling questions about her love life.

When Hailey’s close friend offers her the use of her family’s empty cabin for a rejuvenating solo holiday retreat, Hailey finally decides to do something to make herself happy. However, her arrival in the small town of Podunk, Oregon, is anything but peaceful when she discovers the cabin has been invaded by several wild animals. Luckily, Jay, the son of the town’s main store proprietor—and an incredibly handsome and charming former musician to boot—is more than willing to help.

Soon Hailey and Jay are nearly inseparable, chopping down and decorating a Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire, and best of all, playing music together. Jay’s positive feedback and encouragement inspire Hailey to believe she might succeed as a songwriter after all. But even in her snow-dusted oasis, family holiday drama still finds Hailey, interrupting and threatening her newfound peace and confidence. Meanwhile revelations from Jay present complications of their own. Suddenly her Christmas paradise has become a winter storm and Hailey must weather through the challenges to stand up for herself and embrace the holiday spirit.

MY THOUGHTS

Reading Debbie Macomber’s latest Christmas book every year is a long-standing tradition I have. I’ve loved every single one of them. They brighten my day and I always look forward to them.

A woman in love with music doesn’t have her dreams work out the way she had hoped. Settling is what a lot of us do when our dreams don’t come true. She settles on becoming a high school band teacher. Several years ago, a relationship didn’t work out because he wasn’t interested in her dreams and encouraging her, so she walked away from this relationship.

When a close friend suggests she spends Christmas at her family’s cabin she’s delighted. Breaking from tradition she won’t be spending Christmas with her family, but she needs this alone time to regroup.
Upon arriving she’s struck by the beauty of the area and can’t wait to relax. Not so quick though there’s a few wild animals in her remote cabin and Podunk, Oregon, isn’t all she thought it would be.

When Jay, the son of the town’s store owner helps her out she is taken by his good looks, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a musician. As they spend more time together, she comes to realize just how encouraging he can be about her music and talking with him feels as though they’ve known each other for a long time.

The book explores the mother daughter relationship. A meddling mother needing to know everything about her love life and ready to try to push an old boyfriend on her that the mother really likes. A daughter who knows she needs time away from her family this Christmas so she can grow emotionally and figure out what’s best for herself.

An emotional book showing the strength of family relationships and a few surprising twists in the bumpy road we call life. Guaranteed to make you smile and give you a happy feeling as you read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.



THE AUTHOR

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

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Snowflakes Over Primrose Woods

The perfect festive, feel-good love story from Jill Steeples

268 pages Boldwood Books publisher series Primrose Woods 2 of 3 October 04, 2022 publish date

About The Book

Abbey Carter, her boyfriend Sam and their trusty canine companion Lady, relish living in the picturesque village of Wishwell at the edge of their beloved Primrose Woods.  The woods and the country park are full of activity as the festive season approaches.

Lizzie Baker is flat out at the Treetops café, serving all sorts of winter warmers, festive goodies and lashings of hot chocolate. And when her daughter and grandchildren arrive to stay, the run up to Christmas is set to be even more magical than she had expected.

Rhianna West has finally found the perfect man to fall in love with – if only Luke wasn’t moving away in the New Year. 

As the snow falls on Primrose Woods, and the village of Wishwell sparkles with Christmas lights, could this be the year that every wish comes true for the three friends?

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

The Primrose Woods series by Jill Steeples is such a lovely series.
The feel-good book is just what you’ll need at the end of your day.
I read this while drinking my Tazo orange tea and what a wonderful relaxation it was.
Not finding Australia living up to what they were expecting Lizzie’s daughter and two children just pop up on her doorstep to stay, it’s a surprising but thrilling moment.
I enjoyed the relationships the women had with each other. They are close friends, sharing romance troubles and triumphs.
Rhianna West has had a best friend for a long time, Luke. She sees him now as a romantic interest. If only he wasn’t moving so far away, and she sure doesn’t do long distance relationships.
Abbey Carter has a fun and friendly dog. She and her boyfriend Sam love living on the outskirts of scenic Primrose Woods in the picturesque village of Wishwell. There are so many activities for them to do as a family.
I enjoyed following each woman’s journey as they navigate day to day life and on again- off again relationships but yet are always the backbone in friendship for each other.
I enjoyed the snowy setting and seeing the excitement of the anticipation of Christmas through the eyes of the children. There was such an exciting and wonderful surprise on Christmas Eve.
An uplifting and positive book. I would recommend it.

Pub Date 04 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series – all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages.

Her novels are heart-warming, feel-good stories of new beginnings, friendship and love.

Jill’s brand new fiction series will be launched in February 2022 with Starting Over at Primrose Woods.

Have a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Before I Do by Sophie Cousens-Review

About The Book

A heartwarming and playful novel about the ones we love and the ones we lose by the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year
 
What would you do if ‘the one that got away’ turned up the night before your wedding?



    Head-in-the-stars Audrey is about to marry down-to-earth Josh. Though they are polar opposites, they have a healthy, stable relationship; Josh is just what Audrey needs. But romance should be unpredictable and full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey’s found herself wondering if Josh really is “The One.”
 
    So, when Josh’s sister shows up to the rehearsal dinner with Fred, Audrey’s “What If? guy”—the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with—Audrey finds herself torn. Surely Fred’s appearance the night before she is due to get married can’t be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to ask herself: Is fate trying to stop her from making a huge mistake? Or does destiny just have a really twisty sense of humor?

My Thoughts

This was a “I couldn’t put it down” kind of book.
A Sophie Cousen’s book is truly a charmer, a book that’ll make you laugh, delight you and you’ll insist all your friends read it. There are some crazy things that happen in it, crazy but totally not out of the possibility of actually happening.
There are multiple timelines in it so start each chapter looking at the timeline at the top of the page or you’re going to be lost.
Our bride to be Audrey is set to marry Josh, but they are such opposites in so many ways.
In the days leading up to the wedding she starts to doubt if marrying is the right thing as she remembers a past relationship, of one day and can’t stop thinking of it. It seemed so fun and that what if possibility lingers in her mind. The guy was so incredible and handsome. The possibilities are endless. Going back and forth from past times in this relationship to her time in the church leading up to the possibility of her wedding. There is a strong female friendship and a lot of support from her best friend, Clare at the church. I enjoyed Clare’s character, she is there for Audrey every step of the way, Audrey’s mother is there as well, she and her daughter are trying to get their adult relationship back on track. A guest from Audrey’s past that she hasn’t seen in over six years at her wedding has Audrey stressed and exhibiting self-doubt. Is Josh really the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with? I enjoyed Josh’s character; he puts up with Audrey when she has panic attacks and self-doubt. He is the most supportive husband to be even at times I think Audrey may not deserve it. Such a peppy and full of surprises book. I recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

The Author

Sophie Cousens started her career in television, where she produced, among other things, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother, Ant and Dec and Russell Howard’s Good News. Working in TV taught her three things;

1 – Wearing a lanyard makes you look as though you know what you are doing.

2 -The best phrase you can contribute in meetings is “let’s action that!”If you say it often enough, hopefully someone else will do your work for you.

3 – If in doubt, find someone wearing a lanyard – they’ll know what to do.

Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She lives with her husband Tim and has two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as ‘but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?’ and ‘do giraffe’s know they have really long necks?’ She yearns for a time when she will be able to add a miniature dachshund to the party.

Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.

Please like or share. Is Before I Do on your reading list?